Tamping machine



7 July 29, 1930. 0. K. REINHARDT TAMPING MACHINE Filed June 12, 1929 7 Sheets-Sheet 1 iii 1 YINV'ENTOR if, M M

Q04 ATTORNEYS July 29} 1930. 0. K. RElNHA-RDT 1,771,419

TAMPING MACHINE Filed June' 12, 1929 7 Sheets-Sheet 2 ENVEINTO'R (Q/X W V ATTORNEYS July 29, 1930. 0. K. RE lNH ARD T 1,771,419 TAMPING MACHINE II I Filed June 12, 1929 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR ATTORNEYS July 29, 1-930. 0. K. REINHARDT TAMPING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed June 12, 1929 v. 4 UL MM July 29, 1930; 0. K. REINHARDT 7 1,771,419

TAMPING MACHINE Filed June 12, 1929 7 Sheets-Sheet 5 INVENTOR ZI%;M 202 ATTORNEYS July 29, 1930.

Filed June 12. 1929 O. K. REINHARDT TAMPING MACHINE 7 Sheets-Sheet l VENTOR 90 Y M ATTORN EYJ v unnel), STATES PAT-F.

. dry cells.

Patented ,July 29, 1930' NT OFFICE or'ro KARL nnrnnnnn'r, oFJAM IoA, new YonKnssIGnoR To 1mm ELECTRIC CORPORATION, A CORPORATION OF DELAWARE TAMPING MACHINE Application filed June 12,

This invention relates to tamping machines of the type employed in compacting the active material or carbonaceous mix about the carbon electrode in'the manufacture of An obj ectof this invention is generally to improve machines of the type mentioned and particularly to improve the feeding mecha-' nism thereof, wherebythe delivery of the carbonaceous lmaterial to the cell container is automatically and accurately controlled so that fillingof the cells to a uniform height is assured. i

1 Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,in which Figure 1 is a side View of the machine, embodying thisinvention; Figure 2 is an enlarged fragmental front elevation ofthemachine; Figure 3 is a similar view of the rear of the machine; Figure 4 is a. central verti cal sectional. view taken on line 4-4: of Figure 2, certain parts of the machine being shown in elevation for the sake of clearness; Figure 5 is an enlarged horizontal sectional view taken on line 55 of Figure 41; Figure 6. is a similar view taken on line 66 of Figure 4; Figure? is a vertical sectional view'taken online 77 of Figure 1; Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmental detailed view, partlywin section and partly in elevation, showing the relation ofthe:.,feed-ingmechanisin to the automatically-actuated control mechanism for stopping the operation of such feeding mechanism as the latter moves downwardly during the tamping operation, and Figure 9 is a. similar view showing the relation of the feeding mechanism to the automaticallyact-uated .control mechanism at the instant of the completion of the tamping operation. 1

Referring to the drawings, the numeral 5 indicates a frame structure at the tap. of which is journalled atpowershaft 6, carry ing a pulley 7 Iadapted-to -be connected to a suitableflsource of power, not shown. To opposite ends of th'e'shaft 6 are connected suite able cranks or wrist pins 8 and 9, to which are connected pitman rods 10 and 10, re-

1929. Serial no. 370,222.

spectively, adapted to actuate a tamping mechanism 11 and a feeding mechanism 12, the former'being adapted to compact theactive material. orcarbonaceous mix about. the carbon electrode as such mix is deliveredinto the cell-container by the feeding mechanism. The tamping mechanism 11 is of awellknown type, heretofore employed in machines of this character, and includes a crosshead l3 connected to the pitman rod 10 and mounted to reciprocate within guides 14: secured to the side'members of the frame 5. Carried by the cross-head 13 and r'ota-tably mounted in the lower transverse member thereof, is a tamping head which includes a rotatable sleeve 16 to the lower end of which are secured a plurality oftamping fingers 17 adapted to enter the cell-container and there operate upon the mix to compact the same around the carbon electrode as such mix is delivered to the container by the feeding mechanism 12. To the upper end ofthe sleeve 16, is journalled an oscillatory pawlactuating disc 18, carrying a finger 19 which is adapted to co-act with a stationarycam 20,

secured to a suitable part of the frame 5. As the cross-head'lfi is elevated thefinger 19 moves over theface of the cam20 so as to effect rotation of the disc in one direction, rotation of the discin an opposite direction being effected, as the cross-head moves downwardly, by a tension spring 22, one end of which is anchored to a side member of the cross-head and the other end of which is connected to apin'23-c'arried by the peripheral marginof the disc 18. Projecting from the disc 18 is anearQ'L, carrying a pin 25 upon which is mounted a spring-pressed pawl 26, adapted to engage a ratchet wheel 27 secured to the upper end of the sleeve 16. From the pawl and ratchet mechanisinjust described, it will be apparent that as the cross-head 13 is .reciprocated, the operation of the pawlactuating disc 18 such that the ratchet wheel 27, together with the sleeve 16, is intermittently rotated, with the result that the tamping fingers 17 carried by that sleeve are revolved: about the carbon electrode, not

shown, as the active. material or mix; is x movement by a suitable clutch 42.

tamped into a compact mass about such electrode.

For holding the carbon electrode centrally with respect to a cell-container, there is provided a pair of yieldable gripping fingers 28, between which such electrode is inserted after each tamping operation. These fingers are carried by a vertically disposed finger-supporting stem 29, slidably mounted within a tubular bearing upon which the sleeve 16 is adapted to'slide, the bearing 30 being connected at its upperend to a suitable bracket 31 secured to the frame 5. Preferably a compression spring 32 is disposed within the sleeve 30 over the rod 29 to compensate for slight variations in length ofthe carbon electrodes, so that the lower ends of the carbon electrodes may beproperly positioned with respect to the bottom of the cell-container in every instance.

Located beneath the tamping head is a cellcontainer support 34 in the form of a crosshead, vertically movable within suitable guides 35 secured to the/side members of the frame 5. This cross-head includes a pair of arcuate shaped yokes 36 arranged one above the other'and provided with radially disposedset screws 37, serving as centering stops for the cell-containers and adapted to be adjusted to such positions as to insure proper positioning of such containers upon the support 34 as the respective tamping operations are begun. As the active material is tamped into the cell-container and the level of such material rises therein, the support 34 is moved downwardly against the influence of a counter-weight 39, carried at one endof a lever 40:, suitably pivoted to the frame and connected at its other end to a link 41 which inturn is pivoted to the underneath side of the support 34. As the weight 39 is lifted during the filling operation. .of-a cellcontainer, the forward end of thelever 40 moves downwardlyand is normally prevented against return This clutch is of a well-known type, generally en1- ployed in connection with machines of the present character, which automatically acts torpermit downward movement of the forward end of the lever'41 and is adapted to be actuated by a manually controlled lever 43 to release the'lever 40 and permit its forward end to move upwardly under the influence of the counter-weight 39. c

The feeding mechanism 12 for delivering the active material to the cell-containers as the tamping operations are being carried out includes a vertically movable support or carriage 45, which is guided in its vertical movement by a pair of guides46, suitablycon- 'nected to the side members of the'frame 5,

and by guide rollers 47 carried at its forward end and adapted to operate intermediate a pair of vertically disposed tracks 48 also suitably connected to the frame5. This. support is provided at its forward end with an extension 50, having an opening 51 therein, through which the tamping fingers 17 are adapted to operate and through which the carbonaceous material or mix passes into cellcontainers during the tamping operations. Within theopening 51 is located an inverted bushing 52, formed with a ledge, as shown, against which the upper end of the cell-containers are heldin firm contact during the filling operations. Preferably the bushing is provided with an outwardly flared depending flange, as shown, which embraces the upper end of the cell-container as the container is moved upwardly on the platform 34 into engagement with the bushing 52 where itis held in a clamped position between that bushing and the support until the completion of the tamping operation, whereupon it is lowered by depressing the forward end of the lever 40. Carried by the extension is a semicircular defiector wall 53, which is located adajcent the opening 51 and serves to direct material through that opening and into the cell-container as such material is delivered from the feeding mechanism 12.

Journalled to one end of the support 45 is a shaft 55, to which is secured a roller 56 and to the opposite end of the support is j ou'rnalled an idler roller 57, located in proximity to the opening 51 formed in the extension 50. Over the rollers 56 and 57 passes a conveyor belt 58 which is intermittently actuated through suitable means, hereinafter more particularly described, for delivering active {material or mix to the cell-containers during. the tamping operations, such material or mix being supplied from a suitable hopper 59Iinounted upon the support 45 and located above the upper reach of the conveyor belt 58 in a spaced relation thereto. By reason of the fact that the hopper 59 is located above the conveyor belt and is spaced with respect to the upper reach thereof, the material is transferred from the hopper through the space afforded between the front end of such hopper and said upper reach. Directly in .frontof the opening through which the material is carried from the hopper, is located a transversely disposed scraper 60, theopposite ends. of which are held in suitable brackets 61 by set screws,,as shown, whereby the scraper may be adjusted vertically so as to vary the'distance between the lower edge there-of and the upper. reach of the conveyor belt. By adjusting the scraper vertically within the brackets 61, the depth of thelayer of active material or mix carried by the upper reach of the conveyor belt may be varied with the result that the rate at which such material is delivered to the cell-containers may be correspondingly varied. Once the mechanism, the Scraper may be permanently secured in place until an adjustment is again required, as when, for example,- the, consistency of the active material of mixing is changed. I l

The driving mechanism for the conveyor belt includes a ratchet wheel 62 carried by the shaft upon which the roller 56 is mount= ed, the ratchet wheel being; adapted to cooperate with a pawl 63, pivotally connected tothe side of a gear 6l,floosely mounted upon the shaft 55. Meshing with the gear 64, is arecipr-ocating rack 65, slidably mounted within suitable guides or brackets 66 secured to the frame-5, the rack being connected at its upper end to a link 67 whichis connected to an oscillatory lever 68 ;pivoted at one end to the frame 5, as shown at 69, and ,pivotally connected at its other end to the pitmanrod 10, as shown at 70. It. willbe appreclated that as the rack is reciprocated, the roller 56 is intermittently rotated, with the result that the conveyor belt 58 is likewise mtermittently moved. If desired, a belt tightener 3.. maybe provided for the conveyor belt58, a

suitabletightenerbeing hereinshown as including a pair of adjustable arms 71, pivotally connected to opposite sides of the support 45 and carrying at their outer ends an idler roller 72 over which the however, atthe samerate of speed as the cellcontainer, the gasket 52 being all the while maintained in firmcontact with'the upper edge of the container; Thedownward movementof the cell container and of'the feeding mechanism, during the tamping operation are taken advantage of in the machine embodying-this invention to limit the filling-pf;

the container toa predetermined level, and this is.accomplished by discontinuing the feeding oft-he active material or mix to the container whensuch predetermmedlevel is reached. Stoppingof thefeeding means is automatically accomplished pawl-releas ing means for rendering the pawl-63-inopera- V, tive,although the gear 64 carryingthatpawl may continue to -operate. Thispawl-releasing means. includes a lever 74 whichris pivotally connected intermediate its ends to the frame 5 and is provided atfits upperendwith, a foot 75, adapted to engage an outwardly: projectingpin 76 carried by the-pawl 68, as the feeding mechanism 1 2 reaches'a prede-f" termined point in its downward movement.

To the opposite end of the lever 74, ispivotally connected a link 7 7 which, in turn,

lower reach ,of the connected to a lever 78, secured to a transverse shaft 7 9, journalled in suitable bear ings 80 secured to the side members of the frame 5. Gne end of the shaft7 9 is connected to an arm 81, to the outer end of which is conrod 87 being mounted upon an arm 88, which 1 is secured atone end to such support. The other endlof this arm projects upwardly and is provided at its upper end with an adjustable contact member 89 adapted to maintain engagement with the rear end of the support 45 as the feeding mechanism moves downwardly. Preferably, the arm 88 is reinforced by an angular brace 90, one endof which is connected to the link 41 and the other end of which is connected to the arm, as shown at 91, the. brace 90 being in turn reinforced by a connectlng member 92, one end of which is connectedto the link 41 and the other end of which is connected to the horizontal portion of the brace 90. l

In operation the carbon rods, not shown, such as are commonly used as the central electrodes of battery cells, are inserted between the gripping fingers 28 of the electrode holding device, while the cell-container support 34 is in a lowered position. These carbon electrodes may be inserted Without necessitating the stopping of the machine, as will be readily understood, and will be gripped by the fingers 28 with suiiicient force to hold them in place preparatory to the tamping operations After inserting a carbon electrode, the operator places a cell-c011 tainer np on the support 34: While such sup portis in its lowermost position and then releases the friction clutch 4-2 by lifting the land lever 43. The releasing of the clutch 4:2 permits the weight 39 to move the support 34 upwardly, whereupon the top of the cell-containerengages the gasket 52 and the contact member 89 engages the rear of the support 45.

ward movement, of the support 45 is limited as the forward end thereof movesfinto engagement Wlth, the lower end of the forem osthof therelatively slidable members 95' enteringinto the brake mechanism 42 and serving as an extensible connection between such lever and the frame 5. As the cell-container approaches filling position, the pin 85 3 However, as the container is further lifted by the weight 89 the support spring 82, by reason of its being moved from engages the arm 84, whereupon the shaft 79 is rotated against the influence of the tension spring 82 and at about the time the container reaches its uppermost position, the

its position shown in Figure 8 across dead center of the shaft 79, serves to further rotate such shaft with a snap action, whereupon the foot 75 is quickly moved out from beneath the pin 66 permitting the pawl 63 todrop into engagement with its associated ratchet wheel 62. Upon engagement of the pawl 63 with the ratchet wheel 62, an intermittent driving connection is establishedbe tween the reciprocating rack 65 and the roll er 56, with the result that the upper reach of the endless conveyor or belt 58 is moved'intermittently along its path of travel. As the conveyor belt is so moved, active material or mix is transferred from the hopper 59 and deposited at the discharge end of the con-- veyor through the opening 51 and into the cell-container, the upper end of which is seated against the gasket 52. The material which is thus transferred'tothe container drops by influence of the weight 39 andlthe feedingv mechanism 12, as a whole, is moved downwardly by gravity, thus keeping the upper end of the container in firm contact with the gasket 52, it beingunderstood that the gripping action of the compacted material upon the carbon rod is sufficient to overcome the gripping action of the electrode grlppmg fingers 28, with the result that the carbon rod is gradually removed from between the gripping fingers as r the container; descends.

Downward movement of the support 34 and feeding mechanism 12'results in a corresponding downward movement of the arm 88 with which is associated the tripping pin 85, with the result that such pin is moved intoengagement with the trip arm 83. After such engagement is established, further downward movement of the tripping pin 85, resulting from corresponding downward movement of the support 34, will cause the shaft 79. to partially rotate against the influence of the tension spring 82. However, as the spring 82 moves across dead center of the-shaft 79,

such shaft is further rotated with a quick snap action, which causesthe foot 75, carried by the lever 74 which is actuated by the shaft 79, to move into a position .direetlybeneat-h the pin 7 6 carried by the pawl"63.. As the tampingoperation is continued and the feeding mechanism is further lowered,the

foot 75 serves to liftthe pawl 63 to inoperative position, whereupon operation of the thatth'e support 34 is moved downwardly to such an extent as to perm-it the container with its packed contents to be readily removed from the support, the feeding mechanism being permitted to rest upon the transverse supports 94. After removing the container, with respectto which the tamping operation has been carried out as described, another carbon rod-is inserted between the gripping fingers'28- and another container is placed upon the support 34, whereupon the friction clutch 42 is released to permit the support 34, together with the container and the feeding mechanism 12,to bemoved into tamping position, the feeding mechanism being'set into operation at or about the time the container reaches its uppermost position as previously described. 7

- Although only one-form of the invention is herein shown and described, it will be understood that various changes may be made W'lthOllt departing from the spirit of the invention' or the'scope of the following claims.

What is'claimed is: v

1. In a tamping machine for dry cells, a tamping head, a vertically movable support adapt'edto support a cell-container in tamping position and adapted to descend as the tamping operation is carried out, a vertically movable feedin mechanism for delivering mix to the container to be acted upon by said tamping head, said feeding mechanism being adapted to descend as said support descends and including ai'conveyor' for transferring mix to the container during the'tamping operation;

2. 'In atamping-machine for dry cells, a tamping head, a vertically movable support adapted to support a cell-container in tamping position and adapted to-descend as the tamping operation is carried out, a" vertically movable'feeding mechanism for delivering mix to the container to be acted upon by said tamping head, said feeding mechanism being adapted to descend as-said support descends and including a conveyor for transferring mix to the container during the tamping operation, operating means for said conveyor and means for discontinuing'the operation of said conveyorwhereby transfer of mix to the container is stopped 3. In a tamping machine for dry cells, a tampmg head, a: vertically movable-support adapted to support a cell-container in tamping position and adapted to descend as the tamping operation is carried out, a vertically movable feeding mechanism for deliverying mix to the container to be acted upon by said tamping head, said feeding mechanism being adapted to descend as said support descends and including a conveyor for transferring mix to the container during the tamping operation, operating means for said conveyor, and automatically actuated stopping mechanism for rendering said operating means ineffective at such time as the mix reaches a predetermined height in the container.

4. In a tamping machine for dry cells, a tamping head, a vertically movable support adapted to support a cell-container in tamp- I the vertical movement of said feeding mechanism. e

5. In a tamping machine for dry cells, a tamping head, a vertically movable support adapted to support a cell-container in tampe ing position and adapted to descend as the tamping operation is carried out, a vertically movable feeding mechanism for delivering mix to the container to be acted upon by said tamping head, said feeding mechanism being adapted todescend as said support descends and including a carriage, a hopper carried by said carriage, a belt conveyor associated with said carriage and having its upper reach located beneath said hopper and adapted to transfer mix from said hopper to the container.

6. In a tamping machine for dry cells, a tamping head, a vertically movable support adapted to support a cell-container in tamping position and adapted to descend as the tamping operation is carried out, a vertically movable feeding mechanism for delivering mix to the container to be acted upon by said tamping head, said feeding mechanism being adapted to descend as said support descends and including a carriage, a hopper carried by said carriage, a belt conveyor associated with said carriage and having its upper reachlocated beneath said hopper and adapted to transfer mix from isaid hopper to the container, and scraping means for removing excess mix from said conveyor whereby the quantity of mix delivered tofthe container per'unitof time maybe predetermined.

,7. Ina tamping machine for dry'cells, a tamping head, a'vertically movable support adapted to su'pporta cell-container intamping position and adapted to descend as the tamping operationis carried out, a vertically movable feeding mechanism for delivering mix-to thecontainertobe acted upon by said tamping head, said feeding mechanism being adapted to support a cell-container in ra p,

tamping operation is carriedout, a vertically movable feeding mechanism for delivering mix to the container to bejactedupon' by) said ,V i 9 tamplnghead, said feed ng mechanism be- 7 ing position and adaptedto descend as the" ing adapted'to descend as said supportde scends and including a carriage, a" hopper carriedby said carriage, a belt conveyor associated with said carriage and having its upper reach located beneath said hopper and adapted to transfer mix from said hopper to the container, and scraping means for removing excess mix from said conveyor whereby the quantity of mix delivered to the container per unit of time may be predetermined, driving means for intermittently operating said conveyor and including a pawl and ratchet device, and automatically actuated releasing means for rendering said pawl and ratchet device ineffective whereby transfer of mix to the container is stopped.

9. In a tamping machine for dry cells, a tamping head, a vertically movable support adapted to support a cell-container in tamping position and adapted to descend as the tamping operation is carried out, a vertically movable feeding mechanism for delivering mix to the container to be acted upon bysaid tamping head, said feeding mechanism being adapted to descend as said support de- V scends and including a carriage, a hopper carriedby said carriage, a belt conveyor associated with said carriage and having its upper reach located beneath said hopper and adapted to transfer mix from said hopper to the container, and scraping means for 1'85 moving excess mix from said conveyor whereby the quantity of mix delivered to the container per unit of'time may be predetermined, driving means for'intermittently operating said conveyor and including a pawl and ratchet device, and automatically actuated releasing means for rendering said pawl and ratchet device ineffective whereby transfer of mix to the container is stopped at such time as the mixreaches a predetermined height in the container and depending for its operation'upon the downward movement of said feeding mechanism.

10. In atamping machine'for dry cells, a tamping head, a vertically movable support adapted to support a cell-container in tamping position and adapted to descend as the tamping operation is carried out, a vertically movable feeding mechanism for delivering mix .to the container to be acted upon by saidtamping head, said feeding mechanism being adapted to descend-as said support descends and including a conveyor for transferring mix to the container during the tamping operation, operating means for said conveyor, and automatically actuated stopping mechanism for rendering said Operating means ineffective at -such time as the 'mix reaches a predetermined height in Y the container, and depending for its operation upon the downward movement of-said feeding device to stop the conveyor and upon the upward movement of said feeding mechanism to start the conveyor. In testimony whereof, I have affixed my signature to this specification.

OTTO KARL REINHARDT. 

